Learning Goal 1

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Learning Goal: ESS2 - The earth is part of a solar system, made up of distinct parts that have temporal and spatial interrelationships

ESS2 (Ext.) -X-Students demonstrate an understanding of temporal or positional relationships between or among the Earth, sun, and moon and the stars by...

Xaa explaining their role in navigation, beginning with ancient civilizations, advancing through 19th century mathematical celestial navigation, to current Global Positioning Systems.

What does this standard mean?
  • The Earth’s distance from the Sun places it in the “Habitable Zone” of the solar system
  • The Earth is the only planet in the solar system that can sustain life
  • The Earth is the only planet currently located in the Habitable Zone of the solar system
    • Habitable Zone – the boundaries that mark the distance from the star where a planet could maintain liquid water
  • Stars can be used as a means of navagation
    • North Star
      • Determine direction
      • Latitude
      • Altitude

What prior knowledge do students need to know to understand the standard?
  • Circumpolar stars are only present above the equator
    • never set
    • rotate around Polaris
  • An astrolabe is an instrument used on ships to detemine latitude by looking at celestial objects
  • Sun centered model - The Sun is the center of the solar system with all nine planets revolving around it
  • Characteristics of Earth that allow it to support life
    • sustains liquid water
  • Planets absorb heat energy from the Sun and radiate it back into space

What misconceptions might students have around the topics contained in the standard?
  • All stars and constellations rotate around the earth
  • All of the same stars can be seen from all points in the world
  • The North Star rotates with all other stars in the sky
  • Stars with high luminosities will have a smaller Habitable Zone around it
  • The Habitable Zone of a star will increase as a star's luminosity decreases

Learning Goal 2